Injured marine turtles rehabilitated, released

CHENNAI: Two marine turtles, including an Olive Ridley turtle and a Hawksbill turtle, which sustained injuries in February this year, were treated and released into the Injambakkam beach by the marine biodiversity conservation group TREE (Trust for Environment Education, Conservation and Community development) foundation, on Saturday morning.Six to eight years old Olivia, a juvenile Olive Ridley, was found entangled in a fishing gear, about 20km off-shore near the fishing village of Neelankarai by a local fisherman, Kali Muthu, on February 28. Kali immediately rescued the turtle, who had sustained neck injuries and lost her right front flipper making her unfit to swim or dive. She was placed in the custody of TA Pugalarasu, the STPF (Sea Turtle Protection Force) of Neelankarai Village. In a similar instance, 3- 4 years old Sukruti, a juvenile Hawksbill turtle, was found stranded by two members of the SPTF, who were on their morning patrol, at Uyyalli Kuppam on February 24. Sukriti, who was spotted dehydrated and weak with her left front flipper missing supposedly from entanglement in a fishing net, was treated at the TREE foundation’s rescue centre. Both the turtles were released into the ocean by the STPF members.The release was presided over by the Minister for Environment and pollution control, TKM Chinnaiya, MLA of Shollinganallur, KP Kandan, Principal Chief Conservator of Environment (PCCE) and chief wildlife warden, Gautam Dey, AS Balanathan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and retired PCCF and chief wildlife warden, R Sundararaju.